Read Online 1105 Yakima Street by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online
Authors: Debbie Macomber
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sat up straight, his eyes slightly narrowed.“Yeah, but I don’t think I knew Bellamy wields that much power in Cedar Cove.”
“And Bremerton and all the surrounding areas, too, apparently. I couldn’t even guess what rumor he’s floating about me, but whatever it is, people in this community are buying it.”
“I suppose that’s causing problems between you and Lori.”
Linc glanced away, avoiding his brother-in-law’s eyes.
Mack nudged him. “Are you telling me she doesn’t know? ”
“No one does.”
“So Lori’s in the dark about all this?”
“About almost everything.”
Mack stared at him as if he found that hard to believe. “You’ve got to be kidding, man! This is your wife . I know if I held anything back from Mary Jo, she’d be furious. That, in case you’re interested, is a lesson I learned the hard way.”
Linc gave him a brief smile. Being well-acquainted with his sister’s temper, he pitied Mack the wrath of Mary Jo.
“The Bellamys are her family,” Linc said, defending his silence. “I’m only trying to protect her.”
“Does she want to be protected?”
“Isn’t that a husband’s responsibility?”
Mack shook his head. “Not if it means keeping her ignorant of things she should know. And,” he added, “Bellamy might be her father but you’re her husband. You two are in this together—for better or worse. Remember?”
Linc would think about that, but for now he was saying nothing to Lori. They finished their beers, chatting about the football season and the Seahawks’ chances. Macktossed his empty can in the recycling bin, then slapped Linc on the back and strolled out the door.
“Thanks for the beer,” Linc said, following him outside.
“My pleasure.” He raised his hand in farewell, climbed into the truck cab and was off.
Linc left work early and by the time he arrived home, Lori was already there. Just seeing her warm, loving smile dissolved the tension that had been with him all day—dissolved it for that night at least. Without a word she hurried across the room, slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him with enough enthusiasm to weaken his knees.
“Was that for anything special?” he asked as he spread nibbling kisses down the side of her neck.
“Yup. We’re celebrating.”
“Hmm…celebrating what?”
“The fact that it’s Monday.”
Each and every Monday was special when he was with Lori. She’d changed his world, brought him joy, made him laugh. Before he’d met her, Linc had seen life as a series of obligations. He’d run the family auto repair business in Seattle with his two younger brothers. After their parents were killed in a car accident, Linc had assumed responsibility for holding the family together. He’d taken his role as the oldest seriously and was determined to keep his brothers and his sister safe, to maintain a cohesive unit. That hadn’t allowed time for anything frivolous like falling in love. Until he actually fell in love—with Lori—and his whole life went through a seismic shift.
“I bought you a present today,” she whispered seductively in his ear.
Shivers of awareness raced down his spine. They could barely afford groceries, let alone gifts. “Oh?”
“Do you want to see it?”
He released her and slowly walked away.
“Linc, don’t you want to see what I got you?”
“Lori, we’re in a bit of a…a financial bind at the moment. It would be best if you didn’t buy me anything for a while. I’m sorry, but I’d rather you didn’t make any unnecessary purchases. Okay?”
She blinked, then nodded reluctantly. “Of course. I’ll take it back. I still have the receipt.”
“Thank you.” He felt bad asking her to return the item. Whatever it was would be superfluous. He had everything he needed.
“I’d like to show it to you first, though. Okay?”
Linc agreed and sat in the recliner while Lori disappeared into the bedroom. His heart was heavy. He felt her disappointment but they
“And Bremerton and all the surrounding areas, too, apparently. I couldn’t even guess what rumor he’s floating about me, but whatever it is, people in this community are buying it.”
“I suppose that’s causing problems between you and Lori.”
Linc glanced away, avoiding his brother-in-law’s eyes.
Mack nudged him. “Are you telling me she doesn’t know? ”
“No one does.”
“So Lori’s in the dark about all this?”
“About almost everything.”
Mack stared at him as if he found that hard to believe. “You’ve got to be kidding, man! This is your wife . I know if I held anything back from Mary Jo, she’d be furious. That, in case you’re interested, is a lesson I learned the hard way.”
Linc gave him a brief smile. Being well-acquainted with his sister’s temper, he pitied Mack the wrath of Mary Jo.
“The Bellamys are her family,” Linc said, defending his silence. “I’m only trying to protect her.”
“Does she want to be protected?”
“Isn’t that a husband’s responsibility?”
Mack shook his head. “Not if it means keeping her ignorant of things she should know. And,” he added, “Bellamy might be her father but you’re her husband. You two are in this together—for better or worse. Remember?”
Linc would think about that, but for now he was saying nothing to Lori. They finished their beers, chatting about the football season and the Seahawks’ chances. Macktossed his empty can in the recycling bin, then slapped Linc on the back and strolled out the door.
“Thanks for the beer,” Linc said, following him outside.
“My pleasure.” He raised his hand in farewell, climbed into the truck cab and was off.
Linc left work early and by the time he arrived home, Lori was already there. Just seeing her warm, loving smile dissolved the tension that had been with him all day—dissolved it for that night at least. Without a word she hurried across the room, slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him with enough enthusiasm to weaken his knees.
“Was that for anything special?” he asked as he spread nibbling kisses down the side of her neck.
“Yup. We’re celebrating.”
“Hmm…celebrating what?”
“The fact that it’s Monday.”
Each and every Monday was special when he was with Lori. She’d changed his world, brought him joy, made him laugh. Before he’d met her, Linc had seen life as a series of obligations. He’d run the family auto repair business in Seattle with his two younger brothers. After their parents were killed in a car accident, Linc had assumed responsibility for holding the family together. He’d taken his role as the oldest seriously and was determined to keep his brothers and his sister safe, to maintain a cohesive unit. That hadn’t allowed time for anything frivolous like falling in love. Until he actually fell in love—with Lori—and his whole life went through a seismic shift.
“I bought you a present today,” she whispered seductively in his ear.
Shivers of awareness raced down his spine. They could barely afford groceries, let alone gifts. “Oh?”
“Do you want to see it?”
He released her and slowly walked away.
“Linc, don’t you want to see what I got you?”
“Lori, we’re in a bit of a…a financial bind at the moment. It would be best if you didn’t buy me anything for a while. I’m sorry, but I’d rather you didn’t make any unnecessary purchases. Okay?”
She blinked, then nodded reluctantly. “Of course. I’ll take it back. I still have the receipt.”
“Thank you.” He felt bad asking her to return the item. Whatever it was would be superfluous. He had everything he needed.
“I’d like to show it to you first, though. Okay?”
Linc agreed and sat in the recliner while Lori disappeared into the bedroom. His heart was heavy. He felt her disappointment but they
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